The Beginning of the War

In class today we discussed the MAIN causes of the World War One:
Militarism - the policy of glorifying power and keeping an army ready for war
Alliances - to gain greater power, territory, or defensive advantage
Imperialism -competition for colonies, raw materials and market for goods
Nationalism- pride/devotion to one’s country

Now, we know that it was nationalism that pushed Garvilo Princip to assassinate the Archduke Ferdinand.

Bang.

However, was it right for Russia and Germany to intervene in a conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungry, knowing that the entangling alliances would drag all of Europe into war? Why? Or why not?

Explain your answer in the comment section below

The Sinking of the Lusitania

While the United States kept an official policy of neutrality in 1914, the Germans had a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. This meant that any vessel found in international waters was at risk of being boarded and possibly sunk by German U-Boats without warning.

Holla!

Now while the United States had that "official policy of neutrality", the government was sympathetic to the Allies' cause. In order to help Great Britain and France, the United States had a unofficial policy of smuggling weapons and foodstuffs to Great Britain on passenger ships. One of these ships was the Lusitania.

In 1915, while crossing the Atlantic, the Lusitania was stopped by a German U-Boat who demanded that the Lusitania be boarded and searched or risk being sunk. The Lusitania, unknown to her passengers, was carrying  4,200,000 rounds of rifle cartridges and 1,250 cases of 3-inch (76 mm) fragmentation shells. The captain of the Lusitania, knowing what she was carrying, did not want to loose the cargo. So, he attempted to make a run for it.

Bad choice

300 American passengers were killed in the attack. The headlines on American newspapers screamed for war. Although the United States did not enter the war until 1917, this is seen as one of two major events that pushed the United States to war.

What i want you to consider is who is to "blame" for this event. Is it Germany for their policy of unrestricted submarine warfare? Or is it the United States for attempting to smuggle arms on passenger ships while claiming to be neutral?

As always, post and explain your answer in the comment section below.

"Over There"

When United States entered World War One, the country was entirely unprepared for war. To raise the necessary amount of troops President Wilson instituted the Selective Service Act of 1917. This act made men between the ages of 18 and 41 eligible for the draft. Also, Wilson wanted to use the growing nationalism in the United States to "encourage" men to enlist in the Army.

Enlist!...and fight King Kong?

 

Wilson also used the increasing amounts of militarism in the United States, and the power of song, to glorify America's role in the conflict.

 

No one can resist the vocal stylings of Bill Murry

President Wilson's methods where wildly successful. the United States was able grow from an army 100,000 of only to an army of over 3 million soldiers in only 2 years!

Find a patriotic song on YouTube and post it in the comment section below. (No Star-Spangled Banner, Please!) Explain why you picked this song. Why is it important to you? What does it remind you of? In light of what you just learned, why do you think it was written? 

I look forward to your responses

The Home Front

World War One was the first time countries entered a state of "total war" That is, when a country's entire economy is solely focused on producing military goods. As you can guess, this creates a shortage of consumer goods.

Let them eat....tanks.

For the first time, the United States had to institute a policy of rationing. There were household limits on the amount of gas, rubber,sugar, even pantyhose you could purchase.

Sorry boys

To ensure the government's policy was followed, and no riots occurred, the government commissioned artists to create propaganda posters to make it seem that rationing was essential to winning the war.

If you don't eat your peas Jimmy, a soldier will die

However, there was not universal support among Americans for the United States' entry into World War One. Yet, they all faced rations. Is this fair? Why or Why not?

Post you responses in the comment section below

The Treaty of Versailles

When discussing the United States' entry to World War One, America was a little late to the party, about three years too late. However, once the United States entered the war in 1917 it was over a year later.

Sounds about right

Once the armistice was announced , the Big Four met in France to draw a treaty to create "an everlasting peace in Europe"

Britain, France, United States, and...that guy with the sweet mustache

However, as we learned in class, their plan for "everlasting peace" did not turn out quite as planned. France and Britain wanted to punish Germany and remove their ability to make war.
The Treaty of Versailles decided that Germany:
Accept "war guilt clause" and pay $300 Billion in reparations
Surrender all of its colonies
Destroy its Army, Navy, and Air force

All of these actions helped lead the way for this guy

Turns out, not such a great guy

Thus the Treaty of Versailles would be known as "a peace built on quicksand".

Now imagine yourself a world leader at the Treaty of Versailles. What would you do differently to ensure a lasting peace?

Write your responses in the comment section.